Bab 16: Chapter 16
~Talfen, capital of Coldshore~
~The Wilton Manor~
Andras pushed off from the wall and headed back to the room and settled on the bed to wait for the throbbing pain behind his eyes to abate. It would be rather troublesome if that were to happen when he was around other people, he would have to adjust quickly to the pain of the mind link while also ignoring his father's compelling orders.
That didn't sound like an enjoyable ordeal.
He was exhausted, mostly from his father's mindlink but also because he hadn't gotten proper rest ever since he left home. He had to be on the move all of the time, hardly sleeping under the stars and traveling by foot.
He could fairly say that he was quite safe here and could sleep without worrying about getting attacked by bandits but Malcer clearly wanted his sword. He couldn't risk letting down his guard because if Malcer were to get his hands on Outlaw, he wouldn't get it back.
He could always settle in after he had gotten some proper rest so without bothering to take off his outer robes to get comfortable for sleep, he just fell on the bed, his own sword sheathed on his hip. He had long lost his inhibitions about staining the sheets with his dusty clothing, his father's mind link had successfully drained him of whatever little energy he had left.
He managed to kick off his boots at least before dropping on the bed, his right hand reflexively going to rest on the top of his sword. Ever ready to unsheathe it if danger presented itself, his box was placed as close as possible to the bed for the sake of caution.
Just as he feared, as the sun started to set, Malcer snuck in, the lady in the blue dress from earlier right behind him.
Mr. Baxter had told her to keep an eye on their guest, she had guessed that it was just him being concerned but apparently, he had just been following the master's orders. Mr. Wilton had then asked for a report as soon as he got back, what she hadn't expected was for him to take off running when she told him that the guest had fallen asleep.
She followed silently behind him, apprehensive but also knowing better than to question him.
"When did you say he fell asleep, Nellie?" Malcer whispered to her, hanging back at the doorway with her as he searched with his eyes for the box Andras had brought with him.
Nellie frowned slightly as she tried to remember the first time she saw that he had fallen asleep. She remembered coming back to check on him as Mr. Baxter directed, cautiously this time before she lost her head, she had been surprised and relieved to find him fast asleep. She also slightly panicked, not wanting it to come off like she hadn't been hospitable.
She did not take the risk of trying to wake their young guest even if it would be to take a bath and change into more comfortable in-house wear. This time, she would be definitely asking for his sword in her middle so she quietly left him again, returning to her other duties.
That had been quite a while ago, honestly, she was surprised that he managed to sleep this long, the poor thing was no doubt thoroughly exhausted. "Quite a while ago now, sir." Nellie curtseyed slightly even though Malcer had his back to her. "I'm certain that he fell asleep not too long after settling into his room."
Malcer winced at Nellie's whispered reply, he might still be lucky enough, Andras was no doubt exhausted and would keep sleeping till well into the night. The sun was just setting now and he had been sleeping soundly ever since they sneaked into his room, all he had to do was silently open the box, grab Outlaw, and make for it.
He would be happy even if all he got to do was touch it.
He made up his mind and started forward, he had taken off his shoes at the door to mute the sounds of his footsteps, sneaking around the bed where his guest was still fast asleep. His hair whooshed behind him as he hurried past, bright eyes going wide when his gaze settled on the box he was after.
He was so intent on getting to his goal that he paid little attention to Andras after seeing the box.
Nellie watched from her spot by the door, worried about the master, their guest could be quite violent when he was startled. She heard the telltale creak of something getting opened, it seemed Mr. Wilton was taken with something the guest had.
She couldn't have predicted what happened next though and neither could Malcer, because, as soon as he reached in to grab the gleaming, double-edged sword, a sword was drawn in his vision.
Faster than he could react, Andras had him on his back on the ground, an unsurprised look on his face like he had been expecting Malcer to try and touch the sword.
Malcer's initial shock transformed to nervous laughter, his hands up as a sign of surrender even as Andras refused to let off his sword from his neck.
"I just wanted to get a closer look, no harm done." Malcer chuckled, trying to appeal to him to let him go.
Andras heaved himself up, he had attacked purely on instinct and Malcer was extremely lucky to still have his head attached to his body, he wasn't about to tell him that though. After all, for all his determination to touch Outlaw, Malcer had still given him a place to stay and hadn't asked him for a single coin.
He slammed his box shut, giving Malcer a pointed look before straightening up fully. He caught sight of the lady that had come to offer him food earlier but what held his attention was the view outside of the window.
It was already sundown and the sky had gone dark, how long had he slept?
"Seeing as you were kind enough to not run your sword through me, how about you extend that and come down for dinner?" Malcer spoke up, getting up to his feet to dust off his elegant clothes.
"Nellie told me that you refused food so of course you must be hungry." He chattered on, heading for the door while giving his dangerous guest a wide berth.
Andras glanced down at his clothes, he couldn't possibly join Malcer to eat looking like he had just freshly rolled out of the dirt.
Like Malcer could follow the track of his thoughts, he spoke up again. "Your new set of clothes will not be here for a couple of days at least, till then, you will have to make do with the spare clothing we have on hand."
"You have my gratitude." Andras sheathed his sword to say, bowing his head slightly.
Malcer let out a huff, still upset that he hadn't gotten to touch Rolfe's sword. "Nellie will prepare a bath for you, I hope to see you down at the dinner table." He waved a hand, picking up his shoes in a hand as he left in a whirl of elegant robes and flowing dark hair.
"If you'll allow me." The lady that he referred to as Nellie, curtseyed cautiously, eyeing him from the corner of her eye as she made her way to a room out of his line of view, which had to be the bathroom.
He was looking forward to having his first proper bath in days.
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